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By Cheryl Steinberg

MDMA, also known as Molly or ecstasy, is an illegal drug that acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic. It causes an energizing effect as well as distortions in the user’s sense of time and overall perception. People on MDMA experience an enhanced enjoyment of tactile and other sensory experiences, such as smells and sounds. Users often report having feelings of mental stimulation, emotional warmth, increased empathy towards others, a general sense of well-being, and a decrease in anxiety.

It’s important to keep in mind that often times, people looking to buy and use MDMA, whether in powder form (Molly) or pill form (Ecstasy) are taking an added risk because all drugs can and often are adulterated (“cut”) with other drugs and substances. This, of course, leaves the user at an increased risk for complications and even overdose and death because the mixing of drugs – especially when it is not known which drugs are involved – can create a dangerous – fatal situation.

MDMA Withdrawal Symptoms (can last up to 1 week or longer after MDMA use):

MDMA users report feeling anxious, restless, irritable, and sad; in some individuals these symptoms can be as severe as true clinical depression.

MDMA is a stimulant and is often used in the rave/dance scene. The use of MDMA along with vigorous physical activity for extended periods can lead to hyperthermia. This is one of the most significant and acute adverse effects, which means that there is an extreme and noticeable increase in body temperature.

Hyperthermia is dangerous because it can rapidly lead to muscle breakdown and kidney failure. Furthermore, dehydration, hypertension, and heart failure can occur in MDMA users.

Treatment of hyperthermia requires prompt medical attention, as MDMA can also reduce the pumping efficiency of the heart of particular concern during periods of increased physical activity, further complicating these problems.

MDMA and Water Intoxication: Another Health Threat

Believe it or not, it’s actually possible to die from drinking too much water. And, it’s an actual thing; it’s called water intoxication, and it’s a potentially fatal disruption in brain functions that results when there is an imbalance of electrolytes in the body, which are – in this case – washed away by over-hydration.

Electrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge that affect the amount of water in your body, the acidity of your blood (pH), your muscle function, and other important processes. You lose electrolytes when you sweat and that’s why it’s so important to stay hydrated while working out, for example. But you have to drink fluids that contain electrolytes; water alone will not replenish them because it doesn’t contain any electrolytes.

Also known as water poisoning or dilutional hyponatremia, people who use drugs such as MDMA and “Ecstasy” tend to overexert themselves, sweat a lot, as well as cause the user to urinate less (despite the increased intake in water). This means that there is even more water being retained by the body of the MDMA user, making water intoxication all the more likely.

Water intoxication can and has led to fatal incidents among MDMA users.

Any time you take a drug, you are taking a risk with your health. This goes for prescribed drugs, as well. The best thing you can do is inform yourself so that you can make better decisions about your health and what you put into your body. MDMA is not considered physically addictive however it has a very powerful potential for psychological dependence and addiction. If you are stuck in a cycle of drug abuse and addiction, please call toll-free 1-800-951-6135.

Public support for the use of psychedelic drugs in a therapeutic setting is rapidly growing, as we’ve already reported. Cases such as the use of LSD to treat depression and possibly addiction are indications of that. MDMA has been used to treat PTSD. There’s ayahuasca-assisted therapy to treat drug addiction. LSD for cluster headaches and psilocybin for nicotine addiction.

Well, the latest news on the alternative medicine front has to do with the therapeutic use of MDMA – the pure form of the club drug Ecstasy – for use in treating specific situations involving a psychological disorder. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has just approved the first clinical trial using MDMA in psychotherapy sessions in order to treat anxiety in people who are also suffering with life-threatening illnesses, researchers told Al Jazeera on Tuesday.

So, as it stands, MDMA is not being used to treat anxiety, alone; rather anxiety in people who are already sick.

The DEA approved the project on Friday, says Brad Burge, the communications director for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). He added, “The tide has changed for psychedelic research.” MAPS is a California-based nonprofit research group that is sponsoring the study. Researchers at MAPS study medicinal uses for psychedelics as well as marijuana.

On the MAPS website, the distinction between Ecstasy or Molly, which are street names for MDMA, and actual, pure MDMA. The stuff sold on the street and in clubs is often “cut” with other drugs and chemicals so as to bolster profits for dealers, putting the user unknowingly at risk. But, the MAPS website says, pure MDMA has been proven “sufficiently safe” when taken a limited number of times in moderate doses.

First Clinical Trial for MDMA Use in Therapy

Unlike psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin, MDMA does not produce hallucinations, which is some people may find disturbing. Rather, MDMA can be induces feelings of calm, trust and confidence, all of which can be extremely useful for people suffering from anxiety due to life-threatening illnesses, when used in combination with psychotherapy.

The clinical trial will be held in Marin, California, and has purposely been designed to take place in a psychologist’s office, instead of a hospital setting, Burge said. The patients will lie on a couch with a therapist nearby who will lend support and facilitate conversation.

The trial will consist of 18 subjects who have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses and who suffer from anxiety as a result. The participants will attend psychotherapy sessions over the course of several months, with MDMA being incorporated in only some of those sessions, in order to facilitate the process, Burge said. The outcome will be measured at the end of the sessions by the patient’s self-reporting and the therapist’s assessments regarding whether using the drug helped to reduce people’s anxiety.

Of MDMA, Burge said, “It opens [patients] up and makes them more comfortable with the therapist while reducing fear and making them more able to talk about difficult emotions.”

If this pilot clinical trial is a success, MAPS has plans to continue the research with larger studies that involve more participants as well as different approaches. For now, though, the goal of the researchers is to establish basic safety and effectiveness.

The trial is part of a larger $20 million plan to make MDMA an FDA-approved prescription medicine by 2021, Burge said. MAPS is the only organization in the world funding MDMA-assisted psychotherapy trials, he added.

Changing the Stigma

Researchers hope to add to and bolster already-existing (and growing) evidence that psychedelics have legitimate therapeutic uses — as well as to challenge the stigma that has demonized them as harsh drugs that destroy the mind.

“That’s what the really good science shows, despite decades of propaganda and government misinformation,” Burge said. “Just a couple weeks ago, a phenomenal study showed that there are no long-term associations between psychedelic use and mental illnesses.”

That study was published this month in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. In addition, a recent report by Johns Hopkins Medicine showed that the use of psychedelic drugs, specifically psilocybin and LSD, could reduce psychological distress and suicidal thinking.

Addiction and mental illness are often co-occurring conditions in substance use disorder cases. Luckily, there are specially-equipped, intentionally-designed treatment programs that offer dual diagnosis treatment and therapy. These programs, such as the one here at Palm Partners, are adept at treating all conditions simultaneously so that healing can start and the recovery process can be begun. Please call toll-free 1-800-951-6135 today.

Ecstasy is one of the street names for the illicit drug MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine). Ecstasy is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that is described as having similarities to both the stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. There is also the form of Ecstasy commonly known as ‘Molly’, which is short for molecule that has become popular as being considered to be pure MDMA. The difference is that Ecstasy is generally is laced with other ingredients, such as caffeine or methamphetamine.

Ecstasy is addictive that means that there is a such thing as ecstasy withdrawals. And while most people don’t end up getting addicted physically to it, mentally it is very easy due to the great feelings it produces. Here are some ecstasy withdrawal symptoms.

MDMA works in a particular way; it brings you up, and then you crash down. The crash occurs when the drug is leaving your body, so most of these Ecstasy withdrawal symptoms are experienced shortly after using.

Ecstasy Withdrawals: Common Symptoms

Anxiety

It is common to feel fearful and high levels of anxiety during Ecstasy withdrawals. As the brain restores its serotonin levels, anxiety should eventually subside. Depending on the usage this could be a prolonged period of time.

Confusion

Mental confusion and cognitive impairment is a common symptom of Ecstasy withdrawals.

Cravings

After stopping many people say they crave Ecstasy. The drug makes many people feel so good that they cannot think of living life without it.

Depersonalization

Because your brain chemicals are out of homeostasis you may not feel like your real self when coming off of Ecstasy.

Depression

One of the most difficult symptoms of Ecstasy withdrawals for people to deal with is depression. Depression is a common symptom and is a result of abnormally low levels of serotonin. Even worse, some cutting edge research in relation to ecstasy has reported that taking the drug just a couple of times could potentially cause long term brain damage that leads to depression.

Delusions

Certain people may experience delusions or “false beliefs” about reality during Ecstasy withdrawals. They may think that someone is out to get them in similar manner to someone would with schizophrenia.

Fatigue

Ecstasy withdrawals can also make you feel both mentally and physically fatigued. The lethargy may be overwhelming initially and you may find yourself sleeping or tired on a consistent basis.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations could be both auditory and visual when experiencing Ecstasy withdrawals. These are not the typical symptoms, but there are documented reports of people seeing things and/or hear voices.

Insomnia

Inability to fall asleep at night is another common symptom that could be a result of your withdrawal.

Agitation

If you find yourself becoming increasingly irritable, just know that this is a common symptom of Ecstasy withdrawals.

Loss of appetite

Another symptom of Ecstasy withdrawals is loss of appetite. Someone may not feel like eating for a while after coming down from Ecstasy. Do your best to eat what you can and consume healthy foods.

Mood swings

It is pretty common for people withdrawing from any drug to experience mood swings, but when having Ecstasy withdrawals mood swings are particularly common due to the fact that the drug throws your brain’s serotonin and dopamine levels out of homeostasis.

Memory loss

Experiencing temporary memory loss is another symptom that some people report, but not everyone experiences this problem.

Muscle rigidity

Some people experience muscle rigidity and/or stiffness – almost like they are constantly flexed. In order to reduce this rigidity and possible soreness, give it time.

Panic attacks

Any drug that affects the serotonin system could result in the user experiencing panic attacks when trying to withdraw.

Paranoia

In long-term frequent users, many develop paranoid thinking. This is again due to the drug affecting the serotonin and dopamine of the brain. Although it releases more serotonin than dopamine, the decreased amount of dopamine stores could result in paranoid thinking.

Poor concentration

Due to your brain trying to readjust, you may notice lapses in your ability to concentrate. Withdrawal symptoms from MDMA are similar to that of amphetamines.

Psychosis

Some people experience psychosis or psychotic-like symptoms when coming off of this drug.

Ecstasy Withdrawals: Getting Help

It is not at all uncommon that a person who is going through the Ecstasy withdrawals will actually reach for alcohol or various other types of drugs to help them to relax and to numb themselves to the more harsh symptoms of crashing off of Ecstasy. This unfortunately will typically just become another addiction to any of these substitute chemicals, and creates a compounded damage on the body.

The best way to combat a serious Ecstasy addiction and the withdrawals related to that addiction is to undergo a safe medical detox, and address the other aspects of the addiction through a drug abuse treatment program. Trying to dull the negative impact of Ecstasy with more drugs is definitely going to do more harm than good, and the longer you wait the more damage your body can sustain. That and with such an unpredictable and dangerous drug, there may never be a chance to change.

While many do not understand the reality of what risks they run with abusing MDMA and other drugs, there are many who are very aware of the dangers but who are still afraid of giving it up. With the right kind of treatment for Ecstasy addiction anyone has a real fighting chance of changing for life. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll-free 1-800-951-6135.

You may or may not be aware of this but, some of the highly-illegal drugs today were once used in virtually any kind of cough drop, tincture, or formula to treat anything from cough to nausea to insomnia. And many of these medical preparations that included drugs like heroin and cocaine we even available over-the-counter!

Nowadays, there are much stricter regulations on what have been found to be illicit drugs, as well as other drugs that are prescribed for our ailments.

First, cocaine is an effective local anesthetic and, once applied, it numbs the area very quickly, usually in less than two minutes. Secondly, cocaine is effective at stopping the bleeding; it’s a vasoconstrictor, which is a drug that constricts – or narrows – the blood vessels. The smaller a blood vessel gets, the bleeding occurs.

Even many pediatricians recommend using cocaine on children’s wounds because of cocaine’s properties that make it a valuable tool for treating cuts and lacerations.

#2. LSD for Alcoholism

Studies show that your chances of staying away from alcohol will be dramatically increased after tripping on acid. There was an extensive study done in the 1960s and ’70s that revealed how recovering alcoholics are much less likely to drink to excess and how some even stopped drinking altogether for several months.

The reason why this works could be due to the LSD helping the participants to feel more confident, happy and satisfied with their lives, which, in turn, decreased the feelings they had that led most of them to abuse alcohol in the first place. The alcohol-abstaining effects from the one LSD trip lasted for about six months, at which point, if LSD were legal, the patients would be able to return to a treatment clinic for another dose, repeating the process until they were able to transition into sobriety.

#3. Heroin for women in labor

Heroin is an opiate, in the same class of drugs as painkillers, such as oxycodone and morphine. However, heroin itself is actually much more effective than morphine and takes effect in about two or three minutes. In fact, The National Health Service (NHS) in Britain recommends giving it to people in extreme pain, people in surgery, and women in labor.

Now, just to be clear, the NHS is, in fact, made up of medical professionals. The practice in Britain is to give women in labor an injection of heroin to help with the contractions as they give birth. The one-time use doesn’t do any damage and doesn’t cause dependency, because it is only administered when the baby is on its way out of its mother’s body.

#4. MDMA for PTSD

MDMA, or Ecstasy, has been shown to help treat people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The reason for this is actually the same reason that the drug is popular for recreational use: It releases large amounts of the feel-good chemicals serotonin and oxytocin in your brain, which makes you relaxed, euphoric, and feel at ease. This results in relieving the stress experienced by PTSD sufferers.

When used in a therapeutic setting, MDMA allows PTSD patients to relive their experiences more easily, which is crucial to overcoming the disorder. Ecstasy lets the sufferers do so without being overwhelmed, by activating the area of the brain responsible for controlling fear and stress. Over time, this results in long-term reduction of fear.

#5. Methamphetamine for ADHD and obesity

Desoxyn, the purest form of meth, is prescribed to obese people for quick short-term weight loss. It’s only prescribed as a short-term treatment for obvious reasons, since meth is highly addictive as well as overall catastrophic to your well-being. Meth is rarely prescribed in this way and only when all other treatments fail.

Desoxyn is also prescribed by U.S. doctors to treat ADHD. Considering that sufferers of ADHD typically exhibit symptoms of jitteriness and inattentiveness, which are also associated with meth use, it nevertheless has a therapeutic effect on people with ADHD. When it comes to the brain, nothing is simple, and meth. Like other stimulants, helps regulate brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Drugs and dosage are carefully controlled by your medical providers who can monitor the results and adjust your medication accordinglyby a medical professional who can monitor the results. In general, you shouldn’t self-medicate any medical problem with alcohol or illicit drugs and you should only take medications as prescribed. If you are struggling with substance abuse and or a psychological disorder, such as PTSD, ADHD, or depression, Palm Partners is here for you. We offer dual diagnosis treatment for people who are ready to end the cycle of drug abuse. Please call toll-free 1-800-951-6135.

The club drug called ‘Ecstasy’ has been marketed to teens and young adults all over as a form of the pure drug called MDMA, known as Molly. Those who take the ecstasy may or may not realize that it is often “cut” with many other drugs, such as heroin and methamphetamine. To better understand what would make effective treatment for Ecstasy addiction possible, it is important to know what this drug is and what it can do.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, only 13% of Ecstasy contains any MDMA at all. Ecstacy is a synthetic drug that acts as a hallucinogen and stimulant and alters the mind to bring on feelings of euphoria, and the common misconception of what Ecstasy actually is, is a dangerous one. Experts involved in treatment for Ecstasy addiction are aware that MDMA can cause:

Increased heart rate

Heavy sweating

Teeth clenching

Chills

A very sharp increase in body temperature that can lead to organ failure and death

Ecstasy samples have been investigated to uncover the reality behind its ingredients, and authorities have found Ecstasy can sometimes contain addictive drugs, such as:

The ingredients in Ecstasy have been implicated in the emergency room visits and deaths of people who assumed they were taking pure MDMA.

Treatment for Ecstasy Addiction: Ecstasy Withdrawals

With treatment for Ecstasy addiction, knowing the withdrawals that can come from excessive Ecstasy abuse is important to assisting with that transition. Those who use Ecstasy or MDMA often experience dehydration (which can lead to overheating, convulsing and seizing), as well as:

Along with these effects on an individual using Ecstasy, other withdrawal symptoms that are addressed with treatment for Ecstasy addiction include:

Fatigue

Loss of appetite

Trouble focusing

Treatment for Ecstasy Addiction: Detox

As with most any treatment program, there will be a period of detox in treatment for Ecstasy addiction. Detox is the part that most people are afraid to experience, which holds them back from getting the proper treatment, but with a medical detox program in treatment for Ecstasy addiction there is often non-narcotic medication used to safely and comfortably wean individuals off of substances.

Trying do go ‘cold-turkey’ is never the easiest or safest way to try and get off any drug, and Ecstasy is no exception. The medical staff is there to make sure that detox is completed in a healthy and effective process.

Treatment for Ecstasy Addiction: Residential Rehab

After detox, which may last from 4 to 10 days depending on your progress, you will enter the next level of the program offered in treatment for Ecstasy addiction. A detox program is too often misunderstood, and is typically not enough on its own to maintain lasting recovery.

Real recovery begins with the residential inpatient rehabilitation level of treatment for Ecstasy addiction, called “rehab” for short. This can last anywhere from 30 days to a few months depending on your person recovery plan, which really is only a drop in the bucket compared to a lifetime. At the rehab level, individuals reside in a safe and comfortable environment where all basic needs will be met while they attend groups.

There is case management support, medical services, and a variety of therapy options available. Treatment for Ecstasy addiction allows people to attend meetings, group therapy, and individual cognitive therapy where you will learn about substance abuse and be given the tools to use once the program has been completed. Treatment for Ecstasy addiction can also address any dual diagnosis, or co-occurring issues such as depression, anxiety, as well as trauma-related issues.

Treatment for Ecstasy Addiction: Aftercare

After the residential portion of treatment for Ecstasy addiction, there is also the opportunity for aftercare, which an individual would want to develop a strategy for during inpatient residential rehab. Typically this can be included with intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) as a recovery plan that goes beyond the inpatient stage and helps someone maintain their new coping skills and provides some additional therapy and group sessions to continue assisting a recovering addict during this important transition.

Devising an aftercare plan helps an individual to continue to work actively for their sobriety, with support groups and continued therapy. Treatment for Ecstasy addiction can mean a chance at a new life, and for most it can mean the difference between living and dying.

While many do not understand the reality of what risks they run with abusing MDMA and other drugs, there are many who are very aware of the dangers but who are still afraid of giving it up. With the right kind of treatment for Ecstasy addiction anyone has a real fighting chance of changing for life. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll-free 1-800-951-6135.